Sancreed Well

OS Ref: SW418293
Type: Holy WellDisabled: No

Access: Good
1. By footpath from Grumbia/Sancreed
road opposite The Beacon OR
2. From public footpath opposite Sancreed church

I had just visited Boscowan and Carn Euny with my daughter and decided to
take a scenic route back via the byeway from the iron-age village to Grumbia. On
the way to Sancreed my daughter spotted the "Holy Well" sign on the
road and we stopped to have a look. It was surprising as no path was marked on
the OS map, but I now know the path to be a "permissive". (I think
that a certain landowner would rather access there rather than through the
public path thorough his land).

The path was relatively clear and made a pleasant walk,
getting overgrown and muddy for a bit nearer to the well. Its well worth a visit (no pun
intended!) and I would say the whole immediate area is a good place for some
quiet contemplation.

The inside of the well is very green with a large number of offerings. The
photo does not do justice to the fairy-grotto feel inside.

Apparently the background radiation in the well is much higher than the local
average, so I would suggest that one does not stay over-long inside or drink the
water! (Cornwall has a high level of radiation coming from the ground owing to
its geology and houses have to be built such that there is no dangerous build
up of radon gas).

Outside the well is a cross, erected in honour of those who had cared for the
well, and a tree covered in clouties. When we were in Cyprus the previous year
we looked at a cloutie tree and found, amongst other items, a pair of black
knickers which made me wonder what was being wished for

There are numerous bits of stone outside, remnants from the chapel that once
stood there